There are many methods of jewellery organisation [1], and like with your style preferences, your organisational choices might range from classic to creative and even teeter into experimental territory. Of course, there are traditional ways to organise jewellery like a good old jewellery box fitted with hooks, drawers, and compartments to keep your precious pieces tidy and safe. Similarly, small bowls, stands, and surfaces like a marble slab or wooden shelf are great for storing jewels. Then, there are forms of jewellery storage that go beyond a jewellery box or bowl. If you're a jewellery fanatic, you're likely the proud owner of more earrings, rings [2], and necklaces than you can count. Which means your storage methods might extend into other areas of your home, becoming one with your decor. We're here for it! The most important part of jewellery organisation is ensuring your pieces are safe, free of knots and tangles, and ideally protected enough to keep them clean and avoid tarnish. At the same time, it's fun to think outside the jewellery box and figure out ways in which you can store your jewellery so you can easily see everything and rotate through all of your beautiful pieces.
Ahead, we've tapped a few pros, jewellery designers Maya Brenner, Anna Sheffield, and Eric Sachse of Eriness jewellery, who have plenty of organisational tips, including ideas for storing your jewellery when travelling. Read on for all their takes.
Jewellery Organisation Hacks: Use Reusable Ziplock Bags
"When travelling, I've had to master the art of transporting jewellery. Packing each piece of jewellery individually into mini reusable ziplock bags by category (with the clasps of necklaces clamped into the ziplock) is the key to knowing where everything is and preventing those dreaded tangles. I've also learned the importance of keeping jewellery by your side and always making sure there's room in your carry-on bag for all those precious pieces." — Erin Sachse
How to Store Necklaces Without Tangling Them
"Not the most beautiful way to store things, but I keep necklaces stored in tiny poly bags with the clasp clipped into the 'ziplock' top, so the chain is essentially hanging from the top in a loop. Anytime you jumble the chains together, you risk tangling them." — Anna Sheffield
How to Store Rings
"It's helpful to keep my rings organised in ring slots according to which finger they go on and ring style (signets with signets, eternity bands with eternity bands). That way, when I'm looking at the case, I can pick out exactly which ring stacks I'm looking to style across my fingers on any given day." — Erin Sachse
How to Store Rings
"For everyday rings, I keep them in tiny bowls so I can root through there when I want to switch out bands from my stack. Gemstone rings, I tend to keep in pouches, as these are more occasion rings for me. The pouches live in my jewellery boxes." — Anna Sheffield
How to Store Cuff Bracelets
"I keep some of my favourites that are in rotation over the lip of a singing bowl. But bangles are stored in my jewellery boxes." — Anna Sheffield
Best Way to Store Jewellery to Prevent Tarnish
"Anything silver or costume can tarnish, so it's better to keep those sealed away from air that can cause oxidisation. [They] could even be stored in the original packageing that it came with. Any sealed plastic bag [like] a Ziplock will do. If your jewellery gets tarnished, a quick swipe with toothpaste should clean it up nicely." — Maya Brenner
Best Way to Store Jewellery to Prevent Tarnish
"Air oxidises jewellery, whether it's in a box or not. So the best thing is to keep a versatile set of cleaners and a nice polishing cloth on hand. I say that a mix of cleaners is because some gemstone jewellery can be more sensitive than others. For example, turquoise, pearl, opal, and emerald need to be cared for each in their specific way. We sell our own brand of cleaner for both diamond (and other hard gemstones) jewellery as well as the softer stones, with directions on each. We also sell a polishing cloth impregnated with cleaner on the inner cloth, so you use one layer for cleaning off the tarnish and one for buffing. Again these can be for some jewellery and not others. The tiny prongs on pavé or prong-set rings, for example, can catch on the cloth and bend or break. So it's important to know how to use the cloth too, and on what pieces." — Anna Sheffield
Best Way to Store Jewellery to Prevent Tarnish
"In terms of jewellery, you often get what you pay for. If you're able to invest in fine jewellery, specifically 14k gold, one of the benefits is that it will not tarnish. If you're incorporating other metals into your wardrobe, I recommend acquiring a nice, soft, polishing cloth to ensure that your beloved jewels will always appear as sparkly as ever." — Erin Sachse